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Three people facing animal cruelty charges in connection with a dog-fighting ring stood shackled together in the prisoner's box during bail court in Chatham Tuesday.

John Robert, 43, Kim Robert, 39, and Michel Gagnon, 41, of Fletcher, west of Chatham, are each charged with two counts each of permitting unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal and careless use or storage of a firearm.

Assistant Crown attorney James Boonstra told court that investigators expect to lay more charges, including drug offences, in coming days.

In light of the on-going investigation, Boonstra said the Crown was opposed to the trio's release at this time.

All three were remanded into custody to await a bail hearing on Thursday.

On Friday, a joint forces operation swooped down on a Morris Line property where members of Chatham-Kent police and the Ontario SPCA Major Case Management Team seized about 40 dogs.

The animals were found in various health conditions.

A large quantity of evidence consistent with training canines to fight was also gathered by authorities at the scene.